A 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, once a prized possession, had a tumultuous journey before landing in the hands of its new owner, Alex Palmeri. Stolen in 2021, the car vanished after three years, was driven without registration and used as a makeshift home.
Despite its history, Palmeri saw potential in the Hellcat and took a gamble on it at auction. The car’s past was a mystery, its whereabouts unknown for years.
The odometer discrepancy, jumping from 49,338 to 71,604 miles, hinted at a life lived off the grid. Rumors circulated of a life of crime, with the Hellcat serving as both a getaway vehicle and a temporary residence.
When Palmeri finally inspected the car, he was surprised by its condition. While the interior was littered with evidence of its unconventional past, the engine and mechanical components appeared well-maintained. Receipts for an oil change and coolant flush suggested that the thief had taken care of the car, perhaps out of necessity or a strange sense of ownership.
The Charger’s story was a testament to the resilience of both the car and its new owner. Palmeri’s gamble had paid off, and he was excited to start on a new chapter with his newly acquired Hellcat. Despite the car’s exterior being obscured by a pile of trash, the interior revealed a surprising level of cleanliness.
Jason, a friend who had traveled from Utah specifically for this project, began detailing the well used vehicle. While the driver’s seat showed signs of wear, the black leather was remarkably well preserved. With the driveshaft disconnected, the car was lifted onto a fork and moved to the parking lot. Alex, who had only purchased one way plane tickets, planned to reconnect the driveshaft and drive the Dodge back to Chicago, a journey of approximately 2,000 miles.
Just as they were in dire need of a jack, a subscriber and Mercedes-Benz GL owner arrived to offer assistance, providing both a jack and additional tools. Alex, despite having no experience with Hellcats, managed to successfully reconnect the driveshaft, install a new battery, and bring the Dodge back to life.
The powerful roar of the 707 horsepower engine filled him with joy, and the car performed as expected, without any signs of the HEMI tick issue that had plagued Tyler Hoover’s 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. While the Check Engine light was on, Alex had experience resolving such problems.
The eight-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly, and the brakes were in good condition, making the long drive home seem feasible. However, as they began their journey, a knocking sound emerged from beneath the car, and the instrument cluster briefly went blank.
On their way to the detailing shop, they stopped at a dumpster to dispose of any unwanted items in the car. Concerned about potential drug related issues, they even contacted the Salt Lake Canine Unit to have dogs inspect the car.
However, the experts declined due to a more pressing mission. After the initial inspection, the car was scheduled for a thorough detailing and inspection to identify the source of the knocking noise.
When Alex restarted the engine, it misfired and sounded concerning. He hoped that a donated Porsche 911.993 battery would resolve the issue, and it seemed to be effective, allowing him to proceed with the long drive to Chicago.
